Oxlade-Chamberlain: I'll help Chambers settle

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has said he will take Calum Chambers under his wing as he makes the transition from Southampton to Arsenal.

Oxlade-Chamberlain made the same move in 2011 at the age of 17 - just 18 months younger than Chambers when he put pen-to-paper at the Emirates a month ago.

The pair know each other well from the youth setup at St Mary's and Oxlade-Chamberlain is tipping his friend for big things.

Benzema stays

Arsenal target Karim Benzema has signed a contract extension at Real Madrid.

Benzema, 26, scored 24 goals in all competitions last season - including five in the Champions League as Real lifted the trophy for the 10th time in their history. He scored three goals at this summer's World Cup as France reached the quarter-finals, where they lost to eventual champions Germany.

Benzema came through the youth ranks at Lyon and carved out a reputation as a potent striker before moving to the Bernabeu in the summer of 2009 for a fee of £35 million. He initially struggled to win over the Real fans but in recent years has become a hit with the supporters, scoring 102 goals in the past four seasons.

A brief statement from Madrid read: "Real Madrid announce the extension of the contract between the player Karim Benzema and the club until June 30, 2019, the next five seasons."

He said: "I know Calum from when we were at Southampton together. We are getting on really well and I've been trying to help him get [settled] into the club.

"It can be a big step up but he has adapted really well."

Chambers played 45 minutes in both Emirates Cup games at the weekend, and Oxlade-Chamberlain was pleased with what he saw.

"On Saturday, he looked like he had been playing with us for ages," he added. "He is a good lad and everyone likes him so I am sure he is going to do well here. He has gelled with the team."

Meanwhile, manager Arsene Wenger has suggested Chambers could be used in central midfield - despite being used as a centre-back in his first two appearances for the club.

"Chambers played very well over the two games [in the Emirates Cup] and at 19 was not fazed by the quality of the opponents and by it being his first time at the Emirates," Wenger said. "He was one of the satisfactions of the weekend.

"He can play central midfield as well, as he has good technique, great mobility and is a good distance runner. It is where I can have a look at him.

"He was educated as a central midfielder and then played with England U19s at centre-back and right-back for Southampton. That is where I saw him the first time against us and I liked him.

"At the end of the season he did not play much for Southampton but I made my mind up to buy him after I saw him against us."